Expert Advice on Cat Health, Nutrition and Lifestyle.
This month brought good news for cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease that until now had no therapeutic treatment. Researchers at North Carolina State University, in collaboration with TriumVet, an animal health company based in Ireland, found that rapamycin can reverse symptoms of HCM in controlled studies.Continue Reading
By Ingrid R Niesman MS, PhD
In May of 2024, I told you not to panic about H5N1. I am now revising that statement to tell you that anxiety and concern are appropriate reactions to current events.
The reality is that cats are highly susceptible to H5N1 and some of our worst fears appear to be manifesting.Continue Reading
This post is sponsored by Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Cats tend to be a little more discriminating than dogs about ingesting random things, but some cats still get into some very strange stuff. If your cat ingests a toxic substance, immediate emergency treatment is usually critical to prevent life-threatening complications. The following 10 substances are the most frequently seen toxicology cases in veterinary emergency clinics.Continue Reading
I have been a proponent of pet insurance ever since Amber died after a brief illness in 2010. After three days of intensive care, I was left with a $10,000 bill. I was fortunate that I had the money and didn’t have to go into debt, but I didn’t ever want to be in a position again to have to dig that deeply into my savings.Continue Reading
By Ingrid R Niesman MS, PhD
Part One: Protecting Your Cats
In May of last year, I wrote that the current newsworthy avian influenza strain of H5N1 was infecting and killing domestic cats. At the time, I noted that while surveillance and caution were prudent, we shouldn’t panic.
Like many scientists, I believed we needed to observe, test and evaluate data before creating a public stir. Continue Reading
Chronic diarrhea is fairly common and affects cats of all breeds and ages. It is one of the most frustrating illnesses for veterinarians to diagnose and treat, and for cat parents to manage. Sadly, Allegra has been dealing with on and off diarrhea for the past several months, and it’s been a challenging journey.Continue Reading
Telemedicine, which enables you to speak to your doctor via phone or video, is here to stay, and it’s becoming a fixture in veterinary medicine as well. Today, we’re taking a look at what telemedicine can and cannot do for your cat, and introducing you to PangoVet, a teletriage and teleadvice service.Continue Reading
Cats are highly sensitive to energy and as such, tend to be especially receptive to various energy healing modalities, including Reiki. Continue Reading
There is no one right answer when it comes to making medical decisions for your cats.
Advances in veterinary medicine make it possible to treat medical conditions in cats that would have been a death sentence in the past. From chemotherapy to kidney transplants, cats can now receive pretty much the same level of medical care as humans (and sometimes, probably even better care.) But just because these treatments are available doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right for each cat.Continue Reading
This post is sponsored by Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Obesity in cats is just as much of a problem as it is in humans. Nearly 60% of America’s cats are overweight or obese. Obesity leads to serious health problems, which is why it’s so important to help your overweight cat lose weight before she becomes a statistic.Continue Reading
When you take your cat to your vet, the last thing you probably think about is that this kind and compassionate person is at a higher than normal risk of suicide. The sad reality is that suicide in the veterinary profession is a growing concern.Continue Reading